Agriculture

Unite's rural and agriculture sector has continued to lead the negotiations at the Agricultural Wages Board (AWBs) for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The union continues with its policy of retention of the AWBs unless they are converted to Statutory Joint Industrial Councils where the independent membership of the boards would be replaced by independent and professional conciliation and arbitration.

As mechanisation and advancements in animal and crop husbandry have taken place, full-time employment in agriculture has declined steeply. There has been a huge casualisation of the industry with many workers becoming self-employed, employed through agencies or by machinery rings or contractors.